Finally, the Goodreads M/M Romance group is having their annual Readers Choice awards nominations. They do this each year as an answer to the Goodreads Readers Choice awards, which invariably never see much representation of LGBT Romance. STRAIN has already received several nominations, but to make it easier for those of you who may wish to participate, I will list which categories my books might specifically fit. I’ll put it under the cut, since I’m a little shy about pimping myself but forcing myself to do it anyway:)

Best Contemporary/Mainstream – Set in modern times (post 1960) that deal with modern issues and that don’t fall into into other genres (historical, fantasy, paranormal, mystery, action/adventure, SciFi, etc…)

Best Sci-Fi/Futuristic/Post-Apocalyptic/Steampunk – Story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets. Might have fantasy, AU paranormal or historical elements but those are a background effect to the SciFi plot, not the main plot or character drivers for the story. Post-apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilization after a disaster ruins the world. Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century.

Best Athletes/Coaches – One or both MC’s are currently athletes or coaches. They may be either collegiate or professional but “weekend warriors” should not be included in this category. Books involving dancers should be nominated in the Best Performance Arts category.

Best BDSM – Major elements of the story include BDSM (Bondage & Discipline/Domination & Submission/Sadism & Masochism). Must be a major plot point of the book where the focus is on a relationship that is built around the BDSM lifestyle, e.g., total power exchange, domestic discipline, master/slave, Daddy/Boy, etc…

Eligible Books:StrainBest Family Drama – Major plot point involves dealing with family issues, e.g., children, disapproving parents/in-laws/family members, falling in love with family members friends/exes, domestic abuse, etc…

Eligible Books:Saugatuck SummerBest Hurt/Comfort – Major plot line of the books is one main character helping the other main character to overcome accident, illness, adversity or tragedy.

Eligible Books:Saugatuck SummerBest Polyamorous (M/M/M…)– Stories where the main relationship in the book consists of more than two men. Books featuring female characters in the main relationship should not be included.

Eligible Books:Strain (already nominated)Best Virgins – Stories in which the virginity and loss of said virginity feature predominately in the story. The virgin character may have had a sexual relationship with a woman but never have had penetrative sex with a man.

Any of my titles published in the eligibility period, though if I had my druthers, I’d really love to see Strain get a nod for this. Kanaxa did such an amazing job.Best Free Story – Nominees may include stories that are available online and can include fan fiction, serials & works in progress. Please confirm that the story is still currently available for free and if a serial or WIP, that it was started during the current nomination period.

Eligible Books:The Field of Someone Else’s Dreams (may need to check eligibility for this, as it was originally published for free the year before on the M/M Romance group, but only self-published and made available for free elsewhere this year)Best Long Story (250 pages or 100K words) – Any story, published or unpublished, is available for nomination as long as it meets the size criteria.